First Time Music Ministry Questions!

[nickybr38]

I like to bring silly questions to the board, that’s for sure.

In a few weeks I will be participating for Mass in the music ministry for the first time (as a pianist). I have a couple of concerns that I’m not comfortable bringing up with the lady I’m working with (she’s teaching me what songs to play and will be singing while I play).

A) I’ve done some searching but now I’m more confused then I was before. Is it okay for me to participate in music ministry if the person I am working with is playing the guitar for Mass? Some people on this forum say that the guitar has been condemned but our parish has frequent guitar masses (with a banjo, guitar and bass guitar - all acoustic and quite frankly very nicely done - even if it does feel like I’m in a country concert sometimes). I’m presuming our Bishop has not condemned the guitar since it is used so often in our parish. Is it true that Pope Benedict condemned acoustic guitar for the Mass?

B) This is going to sound like such a stupid question but how do I deflect compliments after (based on my experiences playing for churches over the years I am expecting the usual well wishers once Mass is over - although I might be pleasantly surprised and completely ignored which would be ideal )? I hesitate to say: “God has been good to me” or something along those lines because I’m not especially talented or anything, I’m just willing to do what I can, where I can, when I can. I don’t know, it shouldn’t be tricky but for me it is.

C) Any advice from music ministry veterans on how to get around the Eucharist? If I am unable to receive (for whatever reason) how do I proceed? Do I stop playing when the others go up and just keep my eyes down? How does that work? (Please don’t ask why I wouldn’t receive, let’s just focus on what would be proper procedure in the event that I decide not to)

Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

[convert999]

I only feel qualified to address #2. When I receive compliments I usually reply, “I’m happy you were blessed by it.” When I get criticized I usually say, “That is definitely something I’ll have to think about.” (I don’t say how long I’m going to think about it. ) But I’m sure you’ll do great!

 

[Agape_Thom]

I, too, will only address your second concern. I am one of the voices in our praise band. I also sing solo from time to time. Whenever someone has complimented me regarding the praise band I say “Thanks. We all work hard at it.” When the compliment is directed just to me I simply say “Thank you.” And then, in my heart, I give thanks to God.

 

[Cat]

I converted to Catholicism in 2004 (from evangelical Protestantism), and I’ve played piano for Masses in several parishes on a regular basis.

First, assuming that your priest is a decent man and a Catholic in good standing with Rome, do what your PRIEST tells you to do, and don’t get upset by people on CAF who try to convince you that you are doing something inappropriate to be playing the piano, or that the guitar is not appropriate for Mass.

You have no idea who these people on CAF are (including me), but you KNOW your priest, and you KNOW who your bishop is. Are these worthy men? Are they intelligent? Are they serious about their faith and faithful in practicing and preaching the Catholic faith? If so, trust them and do as they say, and you will do no wrong.

So if your priest has OKed the use of the guitar in the Mass, then it should be OK with you. If you doubt your priest about this, then eventually you will doubt him about other matters, including the teachings of the Church. Don’t go there.

If you get any compliments, simply say, “Thank you.” Don’t use a pat phrase or some kind of canned text, unless you always use that phrase in all of your life, not just in church. Just be gracious and say “thank you.”

You may not get any compliments, since most people charge out the door after Mass. That’s OK.

Finally, here is what I’ve done about receiving Holy Communion in the various parishes where I’ve played. You are allowed to play the Preparation hymn until the priest is ready to consecrate the Host. You will play each Mass part–the Holy Holy (Sanctus), the Mystery of Faith, and the Great Amen. It’s possible that your parish is doing an acapella chant for these Mass parts–the person who is training you will tell you if this is the case. Otherwise, you play for the cantor or choir during those Mass parts.

You should NOT be playing during the consecration or during the Eucharistic prayer. If this is being done in your parish, it should be stopped.

So this period of no music provides you with the opportunity to prepare your heart to receive Holy Communion. You and the cantor should receive right away, as soon as the priest or EMHCs begin to distribute. Receive the Lord, then return to the bench and spend a quiet moment meditating upon His Presence, praying, praising, whatever you normally do. The cantor will do the same. When the cantor is ready to begin the Communion Hymn, you will play the introduction and then go on with the hymn.

You’ll have to ask whether the priest prefers silence from the musician after the Communion Hymn is finished, or whether he prefers a Communion Meditation, usually a song from the cantor, or an instrumental from the instrumentalist. In my home parish, the priests prefer silence, and Communion Meditations are not done. In some of the other parishes where I play, the priests prefer that the cantor or instrumentalist do a Communion Meditation.

One thing I highly recommend that you do NOT do is “improvise.” It ends up sounding very lounge-y, IMO. And be very careful if you do play a Communion Meditation piece that you don’t make it too distracting–no fancy fingerwork or thunderous chords or dramatic buildups to a huge climactic ending! Just keep it simple and quiet so that the people can pray and meditate about Jesus Truly Present.

I hope that this is helpful to you.

 

[ctkrcia]

I have not heard of the guitar being banned. If that were the case in my parish, there would be musicians for only one of five masses!

Compliments come from time to time. The best response is a simple, “Thank You”, and remaining humble. The ability to play an instrument, sing on key, or both are gifts from God. All praise needs to be given to Him, even if through those of us that have been musically blessed. The one thing I dislike, but endure, is applause after Mass. The choir is there at the service of the liturgy - not the focus of the worship. To me applause reduces the Mass to a level of “entertainment” and not worship. I have spoken to my pastor about this asking him to put a generic statement in the bulletin, but nothing yet.

At communion time, if you are not to receive, there are two choices (just like everyone else). You can remain seated, in prayer, and wait for the rest of the ensemble. Or you could approach the minister and receive a blessing only (if that is done in your parish). To your point, the reason why you choose not to receive is between you and God. It is nobody else’s business.

Good luck on your performance! Sounds like your focus is in the right place to play at Mass!

 

[nickybr38]

At our Mass the communion hymn starts as the Priest hands the cups to the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The musicians rise to receive communion only after every one else has received. It is kind of an awkward position because the entire congregation is usually seated and waiting for Mass to proceed by that point. I have never seen a member of the music team NOT receive (I don’t intentionally watch them, just sometimes when I look up at the cross I see them as well since they’re up front).

Thank you to the person who advised trusting my priest. That’s a good reminder. I DO trust him and I trust my Bishop as well. They are both very good, holy men. And as I said, since guitars have been played previously I do trust that our Bishop has not made any statements about it. Our new priest seems the type who would speak up if something was being done incorrectly.

Thank you. (See! I’m practicing)

 

[MarkThompson]

1. No, the guitar has not been “condemned.” Clearly, Pope Benedict’s writings would support the conclusion that it is not in the highest liturgical taste, but in the Catholic Church there is room for – not all tastes, to be sure, but a range of tastes; and the guitar is within that range. There is certainly no “rule against guitars,” and the Holy Father has never expressed a desire to impose any rigid uniformity on parish music life.
2. There is no need to deflect compliments. I often go out of my way to thank and compliment people precisely when I know that they are not acting for their own glory and benefit but for their neighbors’ and for God’s. Those are the people who deserve compliments the most.
3. Just stay seated. If by chance someone comes over, simply say “No, not today, thank you.”